Category Archives: News

Thanks
to Forces Support, Bereavement and
Veterans charity, visitors to Tower Hill cemetery are now able to take a
seat in the old section of the cemetery while visiting the Commonwealth War
Graves. The cemetery contains around a dozen war graves and the beautiful steel, handmade bench is sited in a section
which contains 4 marked graves and one unmarked. The generous offer of the
bench by Forces Support who have
recently moved their HQ into West Oxfordshire, was made during last year’s WWI centenary
year which saw the war graves covered in blankets of scarlet poppies.

It’s
very fitting that the bench which features a poppy and the words ‘Lest We
Forget’ overlooks the single unmarked war grave in the section, which is that
of American, John Christiansen. Christiansen, a
member of the RAF, died thousands of miles from his homeland in an accident at
Witney Aerodrome aged just 28 years old in September1918.

The Bench is positioned in an area of the cemetery that contains a number of War Graves

The Witney Gazette report of his funeral states that, ‘In the pretty little cemetery at Witney he
lies and his family can be assured that his last resting place will be
carefully tended by the inhabitants for whom he gave his life.’

One hundred years on the grave is the focus for the new
bench, along with a Centenary Oak tree sapling given by Oxfordshire County
Council, in partnership with The Woodland Trust. Snowdrops surround the bench and make it the
perfect stopping off point for those wishing to pay their respects.

‘It’s the perfect bench to have there
among the War Graves, a very thoughtful donation at an appropriate time by
Forces Support and I am sure that it will be appreciated by everyone that
visits. The location of the bench at that particular spot means that the town
of Witney continues to fulfil this most honourable of obligations to Corporal
Christiansen and his family’.

All our budget information can be found in the latest edition of the Witney Town Council Newsletter which has been delivered to all the homes in Witney. There is also news about the Annual Town meeting and the yearly survey to find out what you think about the Town Council Services and to gather feedback from you about planned projects. If you want to be even more involved there is information about becoming a town councillor.

On Friday 1st March Witney Town Council held its annual Civic Reception for specially invited guests at which Mayor, Councillor Brenda Churchill, presented the Citizen of the Year awards. The awards celebrate the shining lights in our community from the past year; those that go above and beyond and give just that little bit more to the benefit of the town. Witney is fortunate to have so many people quietly undertaking all this incredible work. The winners are people that are often so unassuming they seem unaware of the extent of their achievement or the positive impact their actions have on others.

All our wonderful winners

Musical entertainment for the evening was provided by 93 year old Dennis, an accomplished amateur pianist who is self taught, having been told by his music teacher that he would never master the piano! Air Cadets from 2120 (Witney) squadron assisted guests and organisers throughout the event to ensure that it all went without a hitch.

Dennis entertained on the clavinova

Photographs from the evening can be seen on our Facebook page or with each winner’s story below

Peter Brading – Outstanding Service to Community Peter founded Witney Talking News, for the visually impaired in 1978 having organised the fundraising of £4,500 to purchase the recording equipment. About to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Peter has served as chairman and volunteer during this time.The weekly service provides an hour of spoken news to 80 people living in and around Witney. Listeners appreciate the familiar voices and the friendly tone and can be assured that if they encounter any problems with the play back equipment Peter will pop in and sort it out for them. It is the unanimous opinion of the committee members of Talking News that Peter’s public spirited devotion, his continued enthusiasm and energy deserves public recognition.

Peter Brading of Witney Talking News

Janet Currah – Valued Contribution to Education Janet and Jacqueline have been nominated together for contributions ‘well beyond the school walls’ alongside excelling in their professional roles.Janet spent a good number of years at Henry Box responsible for the liaison with primary schools ensuring that transition from primary to secondary education for every child was safe and secure. She demonstrated great understanding of the needs of everyone. A sponsor said, ‘It is said that by the time a child started at Henry Box School, they could be sure that at least one teacher knew their name and face, their family and their history- and that is Ms Currah!’ Janet has also helped generations of teachers in her role as a specialist in behavioural support. She is rightly regarded as a model of good teaching and high professionalism across the town.

Janet Currah- a model of good teaching

Jacqueline Mainwaring – Valued Contribution to Education

Janet and Jacqueline have been nominated together for contributions ‘well beyond the school walls’ alongside excelling in their professional roles. Jacqueline’s efforts alongside colleagues and a supportive head wereinstrumental in turning Henry Box School into a successful Languages Specialist school. Not only did she achieve tremendous results with her students there but she also provided language lessons in primary schools and in the wider community. Her passion for languages was infectious. Her version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in French was a particular favourite with many children. A sponsor remarked that ‘ she is without doubt one of the most inspirational and enthusiastic teachers I have had the pleasure to observe in action’.

Jacqueline Mainwaring an inspirational and enthusiastic teacher

Dianne Parkes – Mayor’s Special Award

Dianne, along with her husband Nigel is a founding trustee of the charity Joss Searchlight. Set up, following the tragic loss of their son to cancer in 2011, the charity has helped countless other children and their families, offering physical and emotional support while also devising an education programme in schools to ease the return of young cancer patients to the classroom.

In 2018 Dianne organised the first ever 6 week long Witney Wonderland festival which raised money for the charity and St Mary’s church. The event brought the community together to enjoy a number of festive elements including a Christmas Tree festival, gin and wine bars, a photograph exhibition, live music and celebrity poetry and of course, Father Christmas. We hear plans are already underway for this year’s Wonderland.

Dianne Parkes Winter Wonderland Creator

Windrush Bike Project – Outstanding Commitment to Community

This community project helps volunteers gain skills and confidence through rescuing and refurbishing abandoned bikes alongside trained mechanics. The social enterprise has taught hundreds of schoolchildren and disadvantaged young adults in West Oxfordshire since forming in March 2017. Many of the repaired cycles are offered for sale to fund the workshop sessions. Others are donated to low income families.The project offers membership to people from all walks of life.The group of volunteers are passionate about the role of cycling in helping to clean up air pollution and give their time willingly to inspire others to indulge in some healthy cycling. One sponsor said, ‘The stringent safeguarding and friendly inclusivity is very reassuring for those of us with vulnerable family members.

The Windrush Bike Project an amazing group of dedicated volunteers

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2018 Yasmin Digweed

As chair of the Witney Youth Council Yasmin has demonstrated great enthusiasm in establishing the group despite the obvious difficulty in getting groups of young people together at the same time with their rather busy timetables and social lives!

During her tenure she has provided a mature and calm presence and successfully steered the group meetings. She has applied continuity through agenda items and followed up on actions and decisions taken at meetings.

The Youth Council undertook a successful consultation and fundraising exercise at Witney Town Carnival, led by Yasmin and has identified a number of different projects and activities for the town that the group would like to fund from their small budget.

Yasmin has recruited new members and continued to promote membership of the Youth Council as a positive and worthwhile experience and works hard to ensure that things move forward. She is a great advocate for young democracy.

Yasmin Digweed. A great advocate for young democracy

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2018 Linda & Graeme Young

This year’s Citizen of the Year Award is actually a joint award. It goes to a husband and wife team who have demonstrated the qualities of drive and determination combined with what has been described as endless commitment and enthusiasm.

Linda & Graeme founded Witney Day Centre which caters for people over the age of 60. Every Thursday up to 40 members attend and are treated to a seated exercise session by Linda, a two course lunch and entertainment including arts & crafts sessions and live music. Singing and dancing is encouraged and inclusivity being the aim, even those with disability walker frames are enabled to join in with the aid of volunteer helpers gently ensuring they are confident and safe. Not only do Linda and Graeme ensure that each member is well cared for and entertained while attending but they also support, encourage and offer guidance to their volunteers to help them achieve new goals.

For some of the members this is the only social contact and companionship they may have on a weekly basis and is crucial in combatting feelings of loneliness and isolation.Having identified the need for provision of this kind of service, Linda and Graeme found and secured the venue and then negotiated donations of furniture and food. Finally, along with the help of some special volunteers they were able to get the service up and running.

Many members are delivered by family or taxi but there are those for whom attending would not be possible without transport specially laid on. This comes via a minibus that was purchased as the result of some intensive fund raising all of which is incredibly time intensive. Graeme drives the minibus all around Witney, sometimes making two journeys to ensure that all who want to attend are able to get there. The minibus is also used to take members on occasional outings to events such as Remembrance Day and Christmas Lights switch on.

Although the centre is open between 10am and 3pm, the time devoted to the day to day business of running it extends far beyond this and Linda and Graeme certainly put in the hours collecting food from the supermarket donations organising entertainment and even visiting members who are unwell in their homes or in hospital.

The service is just over a year old now and we hope that it will continue to thrive and provide such a welcoming and nurturing service.

Quick update from the Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley Local
Resilience Forum teleconferences held this morning, the latest update from the
Met office below.

The main headlines are:

Weather: The Amber weather warning issued at 0408 was lifted earlier than
predicted, however there will still be persistent snow across Oxfordshire and
especially on the higher ground. Our main concern for the next 48 hours will be
very cold temperatures and ice on untreated roads & pavements.

Incidents: currently there are no incidents in
Oxfordshire / Thames valley requiring a coordinated response, there are several
power outages but these are being restored as we speak.

Schools: only a small handful of schools are open today, school closure
web page fully up to date.

Transport & Road network: As expected there is some
impact locally, but the main road network is running well with no report of
serious delay. Local bus services are running a reduced service in areas, but
as the day progress’s and gritters start to cover these secondary routes, it is
hoped buses will be back to normal service.

Health: No concerns from any of the health departments, South Central
Ambulance are providing an expected service.

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate Micro-Asphalt Surfacing.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 30/03/2019. The anticipated completion date is 31/03/2019. (Each day from 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs).

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.The “No Waiting” restriction means that wherever there are in place yellow “No Waiting” cones, you will not be able to park vehicles on the highway.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: The alternative routes for traffic are Via combination of Witan Way – Welch Way – Ducklington Lane – Station Lane – Witan Way and Vice-versa.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is attached.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

If you are wondering about the progress of the pavement repairs in Market Square, we have today received an update from Oxfordshire County Council. The delay in finishing is due to a wait for delivery of some bollards and railings. These are to protect pedestrians from the drop, and to guide them to a safer place to cross. The holes in the surface are for the installation of these items and once they are in place the permanent surface will be laid and the whole area will have a satisfactory and tidy appearance. In the meantime the plastic barriers need to remain to guide pedestrians away from the unfinished surface.As and when we hear any more news we will post it in our news feeds for you. Hopefully the required equipment will arrive soon and the work will be completed.

Are you wondering what’s happening with all the rescued poppies from the poppy mile? Here’s one really great idea that we have arranged today with Lorraine. Lorraine makes hats for the Innocent big knit fund raiser. Every hat donated raises 25p for Age UK which is a brilliant new purpose for our poppies! She is also in touch with RBL and will make some for them so that they can be sold to raise money for the poppy appeal. We really love this idea, it’s just one of the ways in which all those magnificent poppies will be recycled to raise money for good causes. If you or an organisation you are part of would like some poppies to help raise funds or to re-use the poppies in a meaningful way please get in touch and let us know all about it. We’d love to hear from you and will be standing by with armfuls of rescue poppies!